The Gulf (Hansard, 8 March 1991)

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is his policy on the involvement of United States and British forces in future security arrangements for Gulf states;
(2) what is his policy on a security agreement for the Gulf area involving states in the region and other states; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether he will make it his policy to ensure that the future security of the Gulf states is not based upon the armed forces of any one state in the region; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what is his policy on the involvement of north African states in the security of the Gulf region.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
New arrangements for the security of the Gulf states are matters for the states of the region themselves. We welcome the initiative taken by the Foreign Ministers of The Gulf Co-operation Council states, Egypt and Syria to discuss future security arrangements. We are ready to play our part if asked to do SO.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask"the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to promote democracy amongst the Gulf states.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
Constitutional arrangements in the Gulf states are a matter for their Governments and peoples.
As regards Kuwait, the national conference held in Jedda in October 1990 by the Government in exile and with delegations representing Kuwaiti opinion across the board, agreed that there should be a return to the provisions of the 1962 constitution as soon as possible after liberation. We have welcomed the Kuwaiti crown prince and Prime Minister's recent public reiteration of his Government's commitment of popular participation under this constitution, including new elections for the national assembly after liberation.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the role of the United Nations in the future security arrangements in the Gulf region.
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§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
A lasting peace in the Gulf region must clearly provide for the security of Kuwait and the other countries of the Gulf. It will be for the countries of the region to reach agreement on the necessary arrangements. We would not rule out the deployment of UN military observers or peacekeeping forces in the area if that were their wish.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to achieve a complete withdrawal of United States and British forces from the Gulf region.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
It is our intention to withdraw British forces that have been involved in hostilities from the Gulf region as rapidly as possible.
We believe that it is for the countries of the region to take the lead in deciding future security arrangements.
The withdrawal of United States forces is a matter for the United States Government.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to extend military non-proliferation measures in the Gulf region.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
Our immediate objective is to complete the restoration of international peace and security in the middle east. We shall be examining with our partners how best to limit the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.